Fu Zhong Wen

Yong Nian Taijiquan (UK)

A member of the World Yong Nian Taiji Federation

Fu Zhong Wen (1903-1994) was born in the village of Guanfu in Yong Nian County, Hebei province - the birthplace of Yang Lu Chan and the cradle of Taijiquan.

From an early age he studied Taijiquan with Yang Zou-Pun (son of Yang Ban Hou) and then with another of Yang Lu Chan’s grandsons, Yang Cheng Fu. He later became a leading disciple and travelled widely within China, assisting his master with his teaching and accepting challenges on his behalf.

Later, he brought his master to Shanghai, married into the Yang Family and fathered a son, Fu Sheng Yuan.

Following his Masters death in 1936, Fu Zhong Wen continued to teach the authentic Taijiquan that had been taught to him - in order to advance this mission, he created the Yong Nian Taijiquan Association in 1944.

Ten years after the Associations foundation, Chen Wei Ming, first disciple of Yang Cheng Fu, paid tribute as follows:

“Mr. Fu Zhong Wen of Yong Nian has received the teachings and guidance from his relative, Yang Chen Fu Lao Shi. Mr. Fu has learnt accurately to a very high standard and has made no alterations, which is why people say that it is authentic...When it comes to continuing the legacy of Yang Style Taiji, who else can compare with Fu Zhong Wen?”

In 1958 Fu Zhong Wen was appointed the coach of the Shanghai Wu Shu team and his students gained many martial honours throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s.

In 1959, the People’s Republic of China Featured Fu Zhong Wen’s Taiji Dao (sabre) in it’s international sports publication and also published his book “Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan” in 1963.

Like many of his generation, he was not treated well during the Cultural Revolution but things improved for him from 1979 when he was appointed vice-chairman of the Shanghai Wu Shu Association. From then until his death in 1994, he travelled widely with his son and grandson (Fu Qing Quan) including one memorable trip to the U.S. for an international Kuoshu tournament where, at the age of 91, he was seen roaming the hotel corridors in the early hours of the morning searching for a tuishou opponent.

Fu Zhong Wen dedicated his life to practicing and teaching Taijiquan and was acknowledged as one of the “One Hundred Living Treasures of China.”

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After his death the Yong Nian Taijiquan tradition passed into the hands of his son (Fu Sheng Yuan) and grandson (Fu Qing Quan) who carried on Fu Zhong Wen’s work by forming the World Yong Nian Taijiquan Association.

Fu Zhong Wen, 1957

The shrine to Fu Zhong Wen in his home in Shanghai

Fu Zhong Wen with his son and grandson performing Single Whip from the Yong Nian Yang Shi Taijiquan Form.